A PAPERCLIP PODCAST

LONG STORY SHORT

An unforgettable guide to India’s past

Welcome to Long Story Short, an Audible Original podcast brought to you by Paperclip Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Join us on this wonderful journey through India's rich and unforgettable past. At Long Story Short, we bring history to life, one fascinating story at a time.

In Collaboration with: Caprino Studio, UK. 

Exclusively available on:

Season: 1

Come along with us on Season 1, where each episode will transport you to distant foreign lands to rediscover stories with lasting legacies that are not talked about enough.

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Episode Synopsis, Credits and Citation

When a young girl from India is kidnapped by Portuguese pirates and ends up in 17th century Mexico, little does she know she will go on to leave an indelible mark on Mexican history. This is her story.

Script: Srinwantu Dey and Arun Sridhar

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya.

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, credits and citation:  

  • De Orellana, Margarita, Michelle Suderman, Gutierre Tibón, Pedro Ángel Palou, Roshni Rustomji-Kerns, Guillermo Prieto, Richard Moszka, Ricardo Pérez Montfort, Jason Lange, and Emma Yanes. “China Poblana.” Artes De México, no. 66 (2003): http://www.jstor.org/stable/24315516.
  • Risse, Kate. “Catarina De San Juan and the China Poblana: From Spiritual Humility to Civil Obedience.” http://www.jstor.org/stable/27922884.
  • Bailey, G. A.. “A Mughal Princess in Baroque New Spain. Catarina de San Juan.
  • RUBY MALONY. “PIRACY IN INDIAN WATERS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.”, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44142635.
  • Seijas, Tatiana. Asian Slaves in Colonial Mexico: From Chinos to Indians, Cambridge University Press.

An assassination attempt, decoy underground escapades, and an Indian curry that tickles Japanese palates till date. What is the common thread that connects all of the above? This episode has all the answers.

Script: Abir Bhattacharya

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Trinanjan Chakraborty & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and credits: 

Rash Behari Bose, “Autobiography,” in Rash Behari Bose Collected Works: Autobiography Writing and Speeches, ed. Asitabha Das (Kolkata: Kishaloy Prakashan, 2006)

“Bose of Nakamuraya” – The Hindu. February 5, 2018.

Hotta, Eri. “RASH BEHARI BOSE AND HIS JAPANESE SUPPORTERS.” Interventions 8 (2006): 116 – 132.

Mcquade, Joseph. “The New Asia of Rash Behari Bose: India, Japan, and the Limits of the International, 1912-1945.” Journal of World History 27, no. 4 (2016): 641–67. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44631490.

Mizutani, Satoshi. “Anti-Colonialism and the Contested Politics of Comparison: Rabindranath Tagore, Rash Behari Bose and Japanese colonialism in Korea in the inter-war period” Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History, Volume 16, Number 1, Spring 2015

Collingham, Lizzie, Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS) 

Uma Mukherjee, Two Great  Indian revolutionaries, Dey’s Publishing

Armed with a bag of tricks, shimmering robes, and an exotic name, this man from Multan enthralled the world with his brand of abracadabra. But would he be able to charm the most dangerous man in history? Dive right in.

Script: Abir Bhattacharya

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Srinwantu Dey & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References: 

Chopra, Jaskiran. “‘Fans Feel I Need Fattening Up!’ Ruskin Bond on Love For Xmas Cake.” TheQuint, December 22, 2017. https://www.thequint.com/lifestyle/life/ruskin-bond-interview-christmas-cake-favourite-memories

Garhwal Post.” Remembering India’s First Magician of International Repute Gogia Pasha
https://garhwalpost.in/remembering-indias-first-magician-of-international-repute-gogia-pasha/.

Big Think. “The Nazis’ Love Affair with the Occult,” October 6, 2019. https://bigthink.com/the-present/nazis-occult/.

 

Sickinger, Raymond. (2004). Hitler and the Occult: The Magical Thinking of Adolf Hitler. The Journal of Popular Culture. 34. 107 – 125. 10.1111/j.0022-3840.2000.3402_107.x.

 

MATHUR(RETIRED), BRIGADIER DINESH. MYRIAD OF RECOLLECTIONS, (Blue Rose Publishers)

Balse, Mayah. Encounters With Men Of Miracles,(Jaico Publishing House).

Cross, Gary , and John K. Walton. “The Playful Crowd Pleasure Places in the Twentieth Century,” (Columbia University Press, 2005)

Encyclopedia Britannica. “Hermann Goring | Biography, History, Death, & Facts,” n.d. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hermann-Goring.

Trove. “MAGIC AND MEDICINE. – Man Who Amused Hitler. – The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954) – 9 Jan 1941,” n.d. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47301911.

Green, William. Richer, Wiser, Happier (Scribner)

Zubrzycki, John. JADOOWALLAHS, JUGGLERS AND JINNS, A Magical History of India (PICADOR INDIA)

The Wire. “Unravelling the Mysterious Gogia Pasha, the Original Gilly Gilly Man,” n.d. https://thewire.in/culture/mysterious-gogia-pasha-original-gilly-gilly-man.

Siegel, Lee. Net of Magic Wonders and Deceptions in India (University of Chicago Press)

Hold on to your hats as we breathlessly trace the connection between a Roma discotheque, a fugitive freedom fighter, a Ghadarite revolutionary, and a stunning mural in Mexico in this thriller of an episode.

 

Script: Subhajit Sengupta

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Srinwantu Dey & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References: 

Set against a backdrop of love and bullets in faraway France, this story of an unsung braveheart from the Second World War becomes all the more gritty and iconic because of the inexplicable sacrifice involved. Tune in.

Script: Subhajit Sengupta

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Srinwantu Dey & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References:

At a time when the world stood divided, when oppressive colonial governments muzzled spirits and nations, one man from India took it upon himself to change the course of British politics forever. This is his story.

Script: Sanjeev Joshi

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Srinwantu Dey & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References:

  • Romesh Chunder Dutt, Three Years in Europe, Calcutta: SK Lahiri.
  • Keka Bose, LALMOHAN Ghose AND THE EMERGENCE OF INDIAN NATIONALISM, Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. https://jstor.org/stable/44142655
  • Lalmohun Ghose, Speeches by Lalmohun Ghose, (Editor: Asutosh Banerji), Thacker, Spink Image attributes
  • Lalmohan Ghose: The First Indian to stand for election to the British Parliament. https://indroyc.com/2023/03/03/lalmohan-Ghose/

“Nor law, nor duty bade me fight, Nor public men, nor cheering crowds, A lonely impulse of delight Drove to this tumult in the clouds;”

Fighting high above Europe’s warzones, there was once a lad from Bengal who defied all odds. Fearless, relentless, this knight of the sky was known to shoot down WW1’s deadliest dogfighter – the Fokker D.VII – like flies. Would this very passion turn out to be his nemesis? We bring to you the inspirational tale of “Laddie.”

Script: Sanjeev Joshi

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Trinanjan Chakraborty & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References

Today’s episode about a doctor, a zebra and Nairobi’s Indian bazaar centres around a troubling phenomenon which goes on to pose a threat of apocalyptic proportions. Will the day be saved and, along with it, the rest of humanity? Get ready to be blown away.

Script: Srinwantu Dey

Host: Sandhya Nagarajan

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References:

The Spanish Civil War, six Indians, a nom de guerre, déceptions, and humanism when one least expects it; if there ever was a slice from history that resembled a John le Carré novel, it is this! Tune in.

Script: Sanjeev Joshi

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Trinanjan Chakraborty & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References:

  • Why These Indians Fought for Spanish Democracy.  https://thewire.in/history/why-these-indians-fought-for-spanish-democracy
  • Gopal Mukund Huddar: An Indian Volunteer in the IBS.  https://albavolunteer.org/2016/08/gopal-mukund-huddar-an-indian-volunteer-in-the-ibs/
  • Political humanitarianism in the 1930s: Indian aid for Republican Spain. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13507486.2015.1117421
  • ALI, ARUNA ASAF FOR., THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION AND THE INDIAN PATRIOTS, Mani Sanyal Kolkata (archive.org)
  • Ortiz, M P, Spain Why? Jawaharlal Nehru, Non-Intervention and the Spanish Civil War. European History Quarterly.
  • Hwei-Ru Tsou and Len Tsou, Doctors who served in the two anti-fascist wars.

Guntur, in Telangana (erstwhile Andhra Pradesh) is known for its spicy Avakaya (mango) pickles and flavourful podis, which are traditionally eaten with steaming white rice as part of the main meal. But what does this remote town in India have anything to do with one of the worst maritime disasters of all time – the sinking of the Titanic? Hint: Religious preachers, lead poisoning, and tetanus.

Script: Sanjeev Joshi

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Trinanjan Chakraborty & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References

  • Guntur to New York. Aboard the Titanic. https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-titanic-has-an-india-connection/20120412.htm#1
  • Luciano: Titanic tragedy resonated in Peoria. https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/columns/luciano/2012/04/15/luciano-titanic-tragedy-resonated-in/42523142007/
  • Evocative account of the Titanic disaster by Mrs Becker. https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/experiences-of-the-titanic-disaster-nellie-becker.html
  •  Titanic Survivor. https://www.wittenberg.edu/news/08-27-18/titanic-survivor

What does Paris, a French opera, a Hindu goddess, Tata Oil Mills, and a Swiss lady have in common? Tonnes! Come and discover with us how an improbable romance and serendipity played a key role in shaping one of India’s iconic home-grown brands.

Script: Abir Bhattacharya

Host: Sandhya Nagarajan

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Srinwantu Dey & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citation and References:

  • An encapsulation of Lakmé’s history | Tata Central Archives. “An Encapsulation of Lakmé’s History | Tata Central Archives,” n.d. https://www.tatacentralarchives.com/tata-legacy/lakmes-history.html.
  • Vats, Sukriti. “From Lakshmi to Lakmé — Story of India’s First Cosmetic Brand, Envisioned by PM Nehru.” ThePrint, June 12, 2022. https://theprint.in/features/brandma/from-lakshmi-to-lakme-story-of-indias-first-cosmetic-brand-envisioned-by-pm-nehru/992910/.
  • Nanda, Ritu. “Designer Ritu Nanda Tells Us What Makes Simone Tata the Enigma She Is.” Architectural Digest India, September 14, 2019. https://www.architecturaldigest.in/magazine-story/ritu-nanda-simone-tata-home/.
  • Lala, R.M; ‘The creation of wealth: the Tatas from the 19th to the 21st Century’ (Viking, Penguin Books India)
  • Punjabi, Nidhi Sharma. “Meet Simone Tata, the Woman behind India’s First Ever Makeup Brand.” Vogue India, October 26, 2017. https://www.vogue.in/magazine-story/meet-simone-tata-the-woman-behind-indias-first-ever-makeup-brand/.
  • Tata Central Archive https://www.tatacentralarchives.com/documents/e_book/naval-tata/E-book%20files/index.html

It’s rare for a red hot pepper to have its origins halfway across the world. But what if we also told you this pepper’s history is not only steeped in blood, grit and tears but also in a rousing event from history that eventually led to the demise of the Raj? In today’s final episode, come along with us as we tell you the dazzling tale of a (ahem) not-so humble pepper.

Script: Subhajit Sengupta

Host: Arun Sridhar

Research & Edit: Banshori Bhattacharya, Srinwantu Dey & Arun Sridhar

Recording: Caprino Studio, UK

Editing & Initial Sound Design: Arun Sridhar

Sound Mixing & Mastering: Mr. Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam

Music Composer: Dr.ShivaShankar Sadasivam

Sources, Citations and References:

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